STOKE CITY have today received confirmation that the hamstring injury suffered by Kenwyne Jones is not as bad as first feared . . . but he is still likely to be sidelined until after next month's international break.
The Trinidad and Tobago international limped out of the Carling Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening after pulling up sharply but a scan has revealed he suffered only minor damage to the hamstring.
Jones will definitely miss Saturday's meeting with champions Manchester United and is unlikely to be rushed back for the Europa League tie against Besiktas and the Barclays Premier League visit to Swansea City.
Following the Swansea trip, the £8 million striker would then have a further two weeks to get himself fully fit.
"There is a slight problem, but it's nothing too serious," revealed assistant manager Dave Kemp to stokecityfc.com. "Kenwyne will miss this weekend's game and more than likely next week's two games as well, but after that we have the break which will give him a bit of time to get up and running again.
"It is disappointing for us, and for him, because he has carried on from the end of last season with his form and done very well for us. He looked extremely bright against Tottenham before he had to come off."
The absence of Jones will almost certainly mean that record signing Peter Crouch will spearhead City's attack against United with either Jon Walters or Cameron Jerome likely to partner him in the Potters attack.
"Peter is settling in brilliantly," added Kemp. "It's not been easy because he has come into the Club in the middle of a period where we are playing so many games, rather than having a match and then getting more used to things in training.
"But he has hit the ground running and his attitude has been absolutely first class. He has settled in very well."